The Phoenix Suns are likely to guarantee the full salary of Chris Paul for the 2023-24 NBA season, according to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report.
Paul signed a four-year, $120 million contract with the Suns in August 2021. His contract for next season is only guaranteed $15.8 million of his $30.8 million salary if he were to be waived by June 28.
“The Phoenix Suns are likely to guarantee the full salary of star guard Chris Paul for the 2023-24 season, league sources tell Bleacher Report,” Haynes reported. “Paul, 38, is only guaranteed $15.8 million of his $30.8 million wage if he were to be waived by the June 28 deadline.”
“Phoenix still maintains some flexibility with the decision, but the franchise is currently of the mindset that Paul will open up next season as the team’s starting point guard, sources say,” Haynes wrote.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Chris Paul & Phoenix Suns Updates
Paul appeared in 59 games this season for the Suns. The 12-time All-Star averaged 13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 8.9 assists while shooting 44.0% from the field, 37.5% from beyond the arc and 83.1% from the free-throw line. Phoenix won 45 games in the regular season and was the fourth seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
The Suns beat the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the postseason in five quick games. However, Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets eliminated Phoenix in the conference semifinals in six games.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Chris Paul & Phoenix Suns Updates
Paul, who has never won a title during his career, suffered a groin injury in Game 2 against the Nuggets and missed the rest of the series. The future Hall of Famer averaged 12.4 points and 7.4 assists this postseason while shooting 41.8% overall and 32.1% from 3-point land.
New Suns owner Mat Ishbia made the decision to fire Monty Williams as head coach immediately after Game 6 versus the Nuggets, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. It will be fascinating to see who the next coach in Phoenix is.
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